Osoyoos Secondary School graduate Toni Petit is all smiles, along with her parents, Michel and Michele Petit, at the aboriginal graduation ceremony held at Frank Venables Theatre on June 16. (Lyonel Doherty photo)
Look past the shore and make your own path was the advice given to aboriginal graduates in School District 53.
“Don’t follow anyone . . . lead your own way,” said trustee Rachel Allenbrand at last week’s graduation ceremony held at Frank Venables Theatre in Oliver.
Sixteen graduates were recognized for their hard work and resilience.
The graduating students included, Toni Petit from Osoyoos Secondary School; Austin Basso, Amanda Bentley, Jenna Bower, Barnabas LaFlamme, Dillen Louie, Kali Marsel, Ryan Melgar, Brandon Souto, Sara Titus, Coltin Wigmore, and Donovan Simpson-Perron from South Okanagan Secondary School; and Shaymus Dainard, Clayton Fawcett, Dylan Secord and Dalton Arcand from Similkameen Elementary Secondary School (SESS) in Keremeos.
Master of Ceremonies Tyrel Allison and Kali Gabriel-Baptiste led the evening by introducing the guests.
Osoyoos Indian Band Chief Clarence Louie was the first to praise parents, aunts and uncles for their role in helping the students get to where they are today.
Terry Terbasket from the Lower Similkameen Indian Band said the graduates made a lot of sacrifices to achieve what they did,
“Never, ever give up. If you need advice, talk to someone to give you more hope to carry on.”
Terbasket said the grads would not be standing here if it weren’t for their parents, and especially their grandparents who are the ones who “hold the stick.”
She urged the grads not to be fixated on the ocean, but to look past the shore to see their opportunities.
Daniel Pitman from the local Metis association reminded the grads to sing, laugh, dance, love and cherish their family.
Superintendent of Schools Bev Young said the best way for the grads to show their gratitude is to lead a happy life and make the best of what they’ve been given.
“You are the true role models; pay the debt forward.”
Valedictorian Jenna Bower recalled the first day of high school and not knowing what to expect, besides possibly being stuffed into a locker.
She admitted it was a long five years because of the countless hours of homework and boring classes. But it was short because of the everlasting memories, field trips and lifelong friendships, she said.
As a member of the OIB, Bower said she has been given endless opportunities.
“We are very lucky to have such amazing, hardworking aboriginal education workers. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through high school without them,” she said. “Whenever you were struggling in school and needed help, or even just needed a laugh, they were always there to help you through.”
Bower told her fellow grads that no matter what they do in the next few months – be it flipping burgers or training to be an astronaut – to do their very best to be happy with who they are.
She encouraged the grads to push past the boundaries they have set in their minds and challenge themselves to something new.
Last year Bower suffered a knee injury that sidelined her field hockey pursuits. Ironically, the injury was a blessing in disguise.
“I found out what I want to do for the rest of my life,” she said. “I would like to become a physiotherapist helping people who have suffered and are struggling just like I was.”
So when you think there is no hope, remember that something positive can result if you make it happen, Bower said.
There were some mixed emotions from parents who were extremely proud of their children, but sad to see them leave the nest.
“I can’t believe my baby is growing up,” said Val Allen, mother of graduate Sara Titus. “I’m so excited. Sara has worked really hard this year.”
Allen said she just wants her daughter to make the right choices in life and be happy.
Titus said she is very relieved to finish high school and is excited about meeting new people.
“I’m a little nervous to start paying my own bills,” she admitted.
Titus hopes to build a career working with children because she adores them.
Fellow graduate Barnabas LaFlamme is well known for his work with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Oliver and will miss that group the most.
When asked if he was scared to venture out into the world, he said no.
“I want to face the world. If you don’t want to face the world, you better stay home.”
LaFlamme will be attending Okanagan College in September and will take first year studies.
Osoyoos graduate Toni Petit said her goal is to become an editor or publisher of novels.
Her mother, Michele Petit, said she is excited and scared for her daughter.
“She’s leaving home and going to university; I’m very proud of her.”
Father Michel Petit said he is truly honoured.
“I’m very grateful to the aboriginal community in being there for Toni and teaching her the holistic way of learning, which is very important.”
Michel said the aboriginal support workers really help people do their jobs as parents.
Tracy Harrington, vice-principal of Southern Okanagan Secondary School, said all of the graduates have truly benefitted from the dedication and hard work of aboriginal student co-ordinator Helen Gallagher and the “remarkable” support workers.
Harrington said it is her hope that the ceremony will inspire more aboriginal youth to persevere to graduation and beyond.
Special awards were given to several graduates, including Ryan Melgar and Toni Petit for academics, Barnabas LaFlamme for spirit (he recently received the Lord Strathcona Medal and “most inspirational cadet” award), Kali Marsel for her leadership abilities, Clayton Fawcett for his scholastic achievements and personal growth, Jenna Bower for her physical achievements in field hockey and Dalton Arcand for sports achievements, including basketball.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
